Paul A. Fisher Public School hit on the right numbers recently following their
Week of Inspirational Math focusing on all things mathematics.
The Burlington started the new school year off with its Math week, in which all students from Kindergarten through Grade 6 participated. The five days of learning were built on a series of lessons designed by Jo Boaler, Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University.
"A number of teachers had started the program last year and we had positive feedback from students, staff and parents," said teacher James Johnston. “It's a great way to teach creative, visual, open mathematics. It also helps with students' knowledge of basic math facts and flexible thinking about numbers and operations. A series of mindset videos accompany the program, and provide inspirational messages and content. We felt the Week of Inspirational Math fit nicely with our mathematics and well-being goals."
Some of the activities included
- Visualizing Dot Numbers: This helps students see factors and multiples of numbers. They look for patterns to color code and ask their own questions about the representations.
- Pascal's Triangle: students look for their own patterns inside the triangle. They learn about triangular numbers and about the connections that thread through mathematics.
Week of Inspirational Math fits the Board's goal of achieving greater success in mathematics, as stated in its
2016-2020 Multi-Year Plan. Targets include:
- Students achieving provincial standard on the Grade 6 EQAO Mathematics assessment will increase by 14%
- Final grades in Applied courses that meet the provincial standard (70%) will increase by 5%
To learn more about the Board's math approach, watch its
Math video series examining the province's Renewed Math Strategy and how math is being taught in elementary and secondary school classrooms in Halton.
